Seven-year-old Laynee Case has become an expert, of sorts, in greeting Santa. And on Saturday, when she met the man in red for another year at the Loveland Elks Lodge, she came prepared.

Laynee brought along a list of her most-wanted items, so that she didn't leave anything out, she said. Santa listened while she read off Justin Bieber perfume, Just Dance 4, clothes.

"Oh, and a Manning shirt!" she remembered.

Laynee was one of about 200 children who poured into the Elks Lodge in downtown Loveland on Saturday for the organization's annual Children's Christmas Party. Many families arrived early in order to see Santa and Mrs. Claus chauffeured to the event by a Loveland Fire Rescue Authority fire engine.

Elks Lodge members spend most of the year preparing for the event, which has been held in the community for at least 30 years.

Members raise money to buy gifts for the children who line up at the door. On Friday night, members stuffed 220 bags full of candy and toys.

"We work the whole year to get enough money to put this on," event committee chairwoman Shirley Brunelli said.

Brunelli has organized the party for the past 10 years and every year, it grows. The hope is to be able to reach all children in Loveland and the surrounding area. They try to get the word out to all families and send invitations to families who might be especially in need of the event, such as those at Thompson Valley Preschool and the Alternatives to Violence Transitional Living Center.

"For some kids, this is the only Christmas they'll have," Brunelli said. "It's fun to see the smiles on their faces."

Families were also provided a meal and while waiting to speak to Santa, they lined up to have their faces painted or mingled with mascots provided by Madwire Media, Colorado Ice, Colorado Eagles and the Rockies.

And for most kids, Santa is, of course, the best part.

"I like to sit up on his lap," said 7-year-old Reina Lujan, who asked him for a bouncy puppy.

After his visit with Santa, 4year-old Maxx Hansen goes through gifts on Saturday provided by the Loveland Elks Lodge during their annual Children's Christmas Party.
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Jessica Maher
)

About 50 Elks members volunteer for the event by serving food, calling and organizing kids to see Santa and handing families a photograph of the visit when they're done. A group of about seven Elks members also worked to make every child a hand-knitted hat.